BLUE FOLDER ITEM
Blue folder items are additional back up material to administrative reports and/or public comments received after the printing and distribution of the agenda packet for receive and file.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
March 15, 2022
N.2. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING
INPUT FROM THE RECREATION AND PARKS
COMMISSION, PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION, AND
PLANNING COMMISSION ON THE DEVELOPMENT
OF A TREE ORDINANCE FOR THE REGULATION OF
TREES ON PRIVATE AND/OR PUBLIC PROPERTY
PowerPoint presentation
Letter from South Bay Association of Realtors
South Bay
AAGLA Association of REALTORS
Monday, March 14, 2022
Hon. Mayor Bill Brand, and the Members of the City Council 415 Diamond Street
Redondo Beach, California 90277
RE: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Input from the Recreation And Parks Commission, Public Works Commission, and Planning Commission on the Development Of A Tree Ordinance for the Regulation of Trees On Private and/or Public Property (Agenda Item N2) Dear Hon. Mayor Brand and the Members of the Redondo Beach City Council:
At the March 15h City Council meeting, the City Council will discuss possible development of a new tree ordinance which includes elements that would substantially harm private property rights for all property owners in the City of Redondo Beach. The Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles (AAGLA) and the South Bay Association of REALTORS® (SBAOR) urges the City Council to reject any proposal that would expand the City's current requirements as it relates to private property and the obligations of property owners.
While we understand the City's desire to maintain trees that it has planted for the benefit of all residents, it is far too onerous to require private property owners to incur the costs of planting additional trees at the time of sale or create a blanket restriction on their ability to address tree related issues located on their own property in an efficient manner.
The City's residents, business owners, and rental housing providers have already been experiencing severe financial strain during the past two years caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This proposal would only serve to further exacerbate these challenging financial circumstances by placing an additional, unnecessary financial burden on property owners. Moreover, this proposal is unwarranted given City staff's testimony about its current practice to regulate tree removal and hesitancy to encroach on private property rights, as well as the lack of evidence that the removal of trees is a widespread issue in the City.
"Prohibiting removal of parkway trees to provide driveway access to private property as part of construction projects" is unnecessary and removes City staff flexibility and existing current practice. The draft ordinance prohibits removal of parkway trees for driveway access, with appeals requiring a review by the Planning Commission. During the January 20, 2022, Planning Commission meeting, Redondo Beach Public Works Director Ted Semaan outlined the current practice followed when the city receives a request for tree removal for driveway access, and he indicated that the City attempts to avoid removal, if possible, with review on a case-by-case basis, and approval only granted if no alternatives are otherwise available. The City Council must continue to entrust case review to its staff and not issue a blanket prohibition of parkway tree removal.
Perhaps the most overreaching item in this proposal, which deservedly received the most public pushback and spirited discussion by City Commissioners, is "prohibiting removal of protected/heritage South say
AAGLA Association of REALTORS'
• ANDE I 1000
trees located in front, rear and side yard setbacks on private property,". We agree with city staff that aside from being challenging to enforce, this would severely hamper a future owner's ability to properly address unforeseen problems with a tree. Property owners need to retain their ability to prevent substantial foundational, structural, and plumbing damage to their homes/buildings if the situation warrants it. By requiring a public hearing, it will unnecessarily delay addressing significant problems with the tree and potentially cause additional harm and increased cost of repairs to the property.
We urge the City Council to reject advancement of any proposed Tree Ordinance that would impose additional requirements on private property and/or that would result in unnecessary and potentially costly delays on private property owners by requiring they go before the Planning Commission prior to being able to properly address their own trees in their own yards.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this important matter.
Sincerely,
South Bay Association of REALTORS®
Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
REGARDING INPUT FROM THE
RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION,
PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION, AND
PLANNING COMMISSION ON THE
DEVELOPMENT OF A TREE ORDINANCE
FOR THE REGULATION OF TREES ON
PRIVATE AND/OR PUBLIC PROPERTY
March 15, 2022
Background
• Concern Expressed about Trees being Removed
• Ordinance Suggested to Protect Trees
• August 17, 2021 Council Reviewed Resident-Proposed
Ordinance & Requested Commission
Input on Four Ordinance Elements
Ordinance Elements
• Establishing a Protected/Heritage Tree Designation
Prohibiting Removal of Parkway Trees for Driveway Access Prohibiting Removal of Heritage Trees on Private Property Establishing Lists of Recommended and Discouraged Species Commission Review
• November 10, 2021 Recreation & Parks Commission
• December 1, 2021 Public Works Commission
• January 20, 2022 Planning Commission
Commission Input
Element 1 - Establish Heritage Tree Designation
• Recreation & Parks: Supports Establishing Protected Tree Designation
• Public Works: Supports Establishing Protected Tree
Designation and a Public Process for
Reviewing Removal Requests
• Planning: Supports Creating Ordinance that
Includes Protected Tree Designation
Commission Input
Element 2 - Prohibit Removals for Driveway Access
• Recreation & Parks: Supports Protecting Parkway Trees from Driveway Expansions
• Public Works: Supports Maintaining Current Public
Works Review Practices and Documenting
in Ordinance
• Planning: Supports Prohibiting Tree Removals for
New Construction
Commission Input
Element 3 - Protecting Trees on Private Property
• Recreation & Parks: Supports Establishing Regulations Regarding Certain Tree Removals on Private Propert
• Public Works: Supports Establishing an Ordinance
that Addresses Certain Trees on Private
Property
• Planning: Recommended Pursuing an Ordinance
that Prohibits Removal of Heritage Trees on
Private Property
Commission Input
Element 4 - Recommended/Prohibited Species
• Recreation & Parks: Supports Adopting a Tree Species List • Public Works: Supports Review and Expansion o1
xisting Acceptable Species List
• Planning: Supports Creating Recommended
and Discouraged Tree Lists for Public
and Private Property
Recommendation
• Discuss Input from Three
Commissions and Provide
Direction to Staff